The Country Cottage Garden at Bruckhills Croft, Rothienorman, was started in 1991, when the current owners, Paul and Helen Rushton, bought and began the renovation of the derelict 17th-century croft house.
Evolving as a series of garden rooms starting with the productive kitchen garden and orchard through various herbaceous borders and alpine areas to the development of the Wildflower meadow in 2008, the garden now covers approximately 1.5 acres.
This year will see the wheelchair-friendly garden open for the seventh time with Scotland’s Gardens in July.
But before then, and for the first time, people will be able to visit the garden throughout March as part of the Snowdrop Festival.
The collection of nearly 200 different snowdrops are arranged throughout the garden in small groups, in areas specific to their requirements.
Some like shade, while others are happy in full sun; some like moisture at the roots, while others require really good drainage.
There are species of snowdrops from throughout Europe, Russia, Turkey and Greece, as well as beautiful and unusual hybrids ranging from just teeny to more than a foot tall.
You may be surprised to know, but colours of snowdrops also vary from pure white to almost completely green and at Bruckhills Croft you will find a lovely selection of yellows.
A small selection of artwork specific to snowdrops will also be available for sale, along with plants, and all proceeds of the openings will be split between Advocacy Service Aberdeen, Befriend a Child – Aberdeen, and Scotland’s Gardens charities.
Where: Bruckhills Croft, Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire. At Rothienorman, take the B9001 north. Just after Badenscoth Nursing Home, turn left; after one mile you will be directed to the car park.
When: Daily until the end of March, but visits must be arranged in advance. Also on Sunday, July 6.
Contact: 01651 821596 or send an e-mail to: helenrushton@aol.com
Cost: £4 for adults, accompanied children free of charge.